Rose in the Mist

This second in the Riordan brothers trilogy is about youngest brother Niall. He has accompanied compatriot and family friend Dr John Black to the court of Queen Elizabeth to broker a peace treaty on behalf of The O'Neill, the Irish rebel leader. Niall is certainly no diplomat being young and impetuous and he is quickly frustated by Lord Wolverton's rudeness and refusal to meet with them. Niall confronts him in the dining hall one night accompaning his beautiful young ward to dinner. Catriona Sherwood looks bored with it all on the outside, but is keenly observing the two newcomers and their mission. For Cat is not what she seems. She's a rebel spy for the Cleary's who are opposed to peace and will not rest until the English are finally and completely driven out of Ireland. She vividly recalls the day English soldiers raided her home, killed her father and seized the O'Malley lands that were her inheritance. Lord Wolverton took her in and raised her in his household, but she has carried her hatred of the English inside ever since.Cat and her friend Bobby are determined to thwart John and Niall's efforts for peace and they hatch a treacherous plan that results in Niall being charged with a crime he did not commit and both Niall and John are imprisoned in the Tower. Their lawyer, fellow Irishman and friend, the flamboyant and sly Truly Fitzpatrick reveals to John and Niall that Cat is not only a deceitful liar, she's also a rebel spy and the daughter of Lorcan O'Malley and that all they have to do to free themselves is to expose this spy to the Queen. Surprisingly both Niall and John object to endangering Cat but for very different reasons. Niall's is obvious - he's infatuated with the lovely Cat. But John shows more of a fatherly interest where Cat is concerned and all wonder why. But Truly ignores his clients wishes and soon John and Niall are released and Cat is now the one imprisoned. What none count on is the unpredictable Queen herself, whose fondness for Cat leads her to a decision. Cat and Niall will marry, return to Ireland and thus, Cat will become Niall Riordan's problem. And so, Cat O'Malley and Niall Riordan are married by royal decree, but will the initial attraction they had felt be able to over come the lies, deceit and treachery of Cat's actions? Can he ever trust her again, and will she choose love over vengence? And where has John Black gone off to, what's this "investigation" he is conducting and what is his connection to Cat O'Malley?I must say, I was not particularly sympathetic to Cat for a good part of the book. Niall was so sweet, kind and lovable that it made her deceit that much worse. I could see why Niall's brothers refused to trust her and fully understood Niall's reserve and confusion. I wanted more remorse from Cat and that's why I could not rate this at 5 stars. But still another good read from a consistently good author.

The latest installment of the Irish Eyes Series features Anna Seymour's Rose In the Mist. In this novel we again meet up with the Riordan Clan. The youngest of the three brothers Niall is thrust into the intrigues of the Elizabethan Court. Seymour spins a tale that is enjoyable and compelling weaving treason, treachery, greed, politics and love throughout the plot. This story goes beyond the superficial and develops not only main characters but also the supporting cast with consummate skill.I encourage readers to pick up this book and learn more of the tale of Cat and Niall.

In 1565, Niall Riordan accompanied by John Black are at Whitehall Castle to negotiate a peace between their beloved Ireland and Queen Elizabeth. However, instead of Her Royal Highness, Lord Wolverton meets the visitors, but not before they try to introduce themselves to two beautiful ladies in waiting including the English mediator's ward Catriona Sherwood. Though many in Queen Elizabeth's court oppose a peace with the Irish, Niall is shocked that Catriona happens to be one of them. She spies for her homeland Ireland as she detests the English for what they did to her family seven years ago and opposes peace with these despicable people. However, when she is exposed for her seditious activities, her only hope to leave the Tower resides in marriage to the peace broker Niall. Though the late sixteenth century is the backdrop of a googol of novels, Ana Seymour successfully keeps her historical romance fresh through two delightful lead characters. Niall knows the cost of war and will do what it takes to protect his country's liberty even if it means brokering a peace with the enemy. Catriona is his opposite who sees war as inevitable through her hate filled eyes that only love will cleanse. The subplot of someone desiring Catriona's death is exciting and ties back to the main sixteenth century theme, but also takes away from the turmoil caused by the extreme differences on the English question between the stars. A ROSE IN THE MIST is a colorful tale that readers will enjoy and want to see more novels like this one from this talented author.Harriet Klausner